Newquay RFC 15

TAVISTOCK travelled to Newquay for their final match of the season knowing that at least a point was needed to escape relegation from the Cornwall and Devon league.

On a fine, sunny, breezy afternoon by the seaside, a well contested game ended in a draw, two points for each side and mission accomplished for Tavistock.

Newquay were first into their stride and the opening 15 minutes saw them camped in the Tavistock half enjoying almost all of the possession. Excellent tackling and defence from the visitors prevented any score and as the half wore on, Tavistock slowly started to gain more possession and began to mount a number of attacks of their own. With the forwards starting to dominate in the scrums and loose play, the Tavistock threequarters were able to make a number of runs at the home defence and after 30 minutes play, one good attacking move led to centre Doug Lloyd finishing off the attack with a well deserved try in the corner.

A few minutes later and another good advance from the pack saw the backs combine in an excellent handling move that ended with fellow centre Ben Hadfield adding a second try in the opposite corner. Crucially, both conversions were missed.

The half ended with Newquay desperately defending to prevent a further score and the visitors leading 10-0.

Tavistock started the second half where they left off and a few minutes into the half, after a series of driving mauls from the forwards, scrumhalf Gareth Mason forced his way over for the third Tavistock try, again unconverted, and a lead of 15 – 0.

The visitors, perhaps feeling that the game was won, lost concentration a little and Newquay started to enjoy more possession. Tavistock then lost the influential Mason to the sin bin, for something that the referee didn’t like and suddenly Newquay were in the ascendancy.

Tavistock’s hard working flanker Martin Budden then had to leave the field for some 10 minutes or so for running repairs and the next 20 minutes saw Newquay dominate possession and despite some sterling defence from Tavistock, scored two tries, one of which was converted and added a penalty, which brought the scores level, with 15 minutes still to play.

With captain Andrew Schuttkacker leading by example, the Tavistock forwards slowly started to regain some control of the play and despite losing winger Callum Thompson to the sin bin five minutes from time for a technical offence, Tavistock finished the game in the ascendancy.

Replacement hooker Darren Guppy was denied a try just before the end by virtue of touching the sideline on his way to blasting through the home defence and the match ended with the Tavistock forwards driving the home side back under their own posts.

The referee then blew for fulltime, to end a fine game of rugby between two committed sides.

A good performance from the whole Tavistock squad, with skipper Schuttkacker prominent throughout and veteran forwards Adrian Baker and Andrew Griffiths both having outstanding games. Among the backs, flyhalf Mark Friend worked hard in attack and defence, ably supported by centres Lloyd and Hadfield. Adam Williams, playing out of position, had an outstanding game at fullback.

This was another of a number of games this season that Tavistock could and should have won, but in the end it was enough to keep them in the Devon and Cornwall league for next season.